LAD #37

Brown v. Board of Education

This took place during a time when racial segregation was still a normal thing in the United States despite attempts to make the races seem as equals. The background on the case had to do with a young girl who had to walk a dangerous route to get to her black school when there was a white school closer to her house. Therefore, she tried to enroll there but the school refused to take her. She looked towards the NAACP for help. Then the District of Kansas' court heard about the case and made up a trial. They argued on the issue and the court ruled that segregation in public schools was negative towards the childrens education and decreased their motivation to learn. However, this case was then sent to the Supreme Court. The issue was circumstantial with the 14th Amendment and was discussed thoroughly. The decision ended positively and required desegregation of schools in America. This in mind however,  it did not end segregation or racism anywhere else but it was a big step towards the end of it.

LAD #36

Truman Doctrine

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman presented what was known as the Truman Doctrine. This Doctrine established that we would provide assistance to all nations that are threatened by Soviet or communist forces, it would also lead us into the Cold War. This was a new form of US foreign policy; we went from a long term of isolationism to what was known as intervention. This doctrine, Truman stated, would involve the national security of our country. The main reason for the formation of this document was to help out the Greek Government financially in this time of need and if we did not, they would not be able to survive as an independent nation. Truman believed it should be our duty to help them out because no other nation was willing to support them and their democratic government. When the British stopped aiding them, they turned to us for help, as did Turkey. In order to preserve peace between nations, Truman stated that the United Nations had been created solely for that reason. Lastly, he said that if we did not help them, the effects might reach not only the West but even the East including us.

LAD #35

 FDR's Executive Order No. 9066

This executive order was on the topic of Japanese Relocation during the time of WWII. February 19, 1942 was the date that this order was given. Roosevelt stated that the Secretary of War should begin to prescribe military areas. He said that all that were currently in those areas would be provided with whatever necessary for when they were excluded from their area. These areas would be restricted with the help of Federal troops and other Federal Agencies and local and state agencies. Roosevelt then authorizes the Executive Department to assist the Secretary of War in carrying out this action including all of the necessities that came along with it like food clothing... etc. He also states that this order known as "9066" does not limit or modify order "8972" in any way.

LAD #34

FDR's Declaration of War

Sometimes known as "Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation", Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his declaration of war speech on December 8th, 1941 which came as a result of the Pearl Harbor attack. After being at peace with Japan, this was a confusing attack that was also insulting to the United States. As the attack was going on Roosevelt told us that the Japanese ambassador delivered a formal reply to an American message. This message contained no signs of war whatsoever. However, we can be sure that this attack was in fact planned as the location of it was so far from Japan, the Japanese believed that our statements of peace were false. Many American lives were lost Roosevelt said; naval forces damaged, American lives lost, ships torpedoed. But we were not the only ones he told America. The Japanese forces attacked several other countries as well in the Pacific area. Therefore, Roosevelt as Commander in Chief decided to take action for our defense and would not stop until our safety is definite. He uses the phrase, "so help us God." and asks that Congress declare war between the United States and Japan.

LAD #33

Franklin D. Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address

 FDR's First Inaugural Address was in the middle of the Great Depression. It was 1933  and due to this economic slump that America was in, Roosevelt was doing his best to keep it truthful. Knowing that the nation had suffered and was still suffering, he made a bold statement which was a very famous quote of his, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The basis of his address was about the economic situation of the United States at the time. He believed that us as Americans should become less materialistic and less about the money. His greatest goal that he stressed was the employment issue. Roosevelt told the citizens that in order to fix this economic ordeal, first everyone needs to partake in jobs and labor. He did this with several Federal works projects that were put into play. Roosevelt's other goals consisted of new and sound currency, supervision of banks by the government and good relations with foreign nations around us. With all of these goals in action under the leadership of Roosevelt, the United States would make a comeback and fix the economy that was in desperate need of fixing.

LAD #32

Kellogg Briand Peace Pact



In 1928, the Kellogg Briand Peace Pact which was also known as the Pact of Paris, was signed which would outlaw war. It was put into place for the purpose of preventing another World War like WWII. This being said, it did not have much of an effect on the militarism that was greatly increasing up to the second world war which was not prevented unfortunately. This pact was created to help the United States stay away from another war, so after going through several options, outlawing war sounded the most foolproof. Men that were involved in this such as Carnegie, Butler and Shotwell wanted international peace. Therefore, they created this agreement between America and France to outlaw war between them. However, Kellogg was nervous about this proposal to France; he worried that the agreement could be somewhat misleading like a sort of alliance which was not what we wanted. And so, they invited all other nations to participate. Most nations liked this pact and were willing to sign immediately, 15 signed first followed by 47 more later on. The pact was a success but the US made it clear that if this was broken by any one nation against us then self-defense would be a given right. In the end, the Kellogg Briand Pact did little in preventing WWII. However, Frank Kellogg did earn the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

LAD #31

Wilsons 14 Points

On the 8th of January, 1918, Woodrow Wilson gave a speech of Fourteen Points. Speaking on the topic of the war, he told us that the reason for going to war in the first place was to protect our rights which had been violated by other countries. The goal was to make the United States a fit and safe place to live for all of our people, under our rule; a place where we as a country could make our own decisions and be assured justice. Therefore came the 14 points, all stated what we shall strive to achieve for all America to benefit from as a result of the war. Wilson's points consisted of things such as peace, freedom of navigation, removal of economic barriers, equal trade, peaceful relations with other countries (Russia, Belgium, France, Austria-Hungary), and many others that would make America honorable and peaceful as a country. After stating all of his points, Wilson confidently says, "We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end." He wraps up his speech by confirming that we will fight in this war until these arrangements (the points) are achieved so that we are able to ensure peace and stability throughout the United States of America. "We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world... instead of a place of mastery."